Oxfam, a United Kingdom funded non-governmental organization has introduced 3,000 rural farmers in four districts of the three Northern regions to various climate change adaptation strategies to help improve their incomes levels.
The three-year pilot project known as �Climate Adaptation Learning Project (ELCAP)� , was started in 2012 and aimed at enhancing the livelihood security and capacity of rural communities to adapt to climate change by securing natural resources, improving food production and income levels of farmers.
Mr. Sebastian Tiah, Country Director of Oxfam made these known during a review and planning meeting with communities and partners in Tamale.
He said climate change effects had become imminent in the country and affected rainfall patterns, which created drought and desertification, thus making agriculture more unproductive. He further noted that the best way to overcome the challenge was to introduce farmers to various measures including the ELCAP.
Mr. Tiah said Oxfam was implementing the project in 16 communities in the Northern, Upper East and Upper West Regions at a total cost of about 300, 000 Pounds Sterling.
He said 225 female and 20 male farmers had been supported with small ruminants such as goats for rearing, while 421 women were also taught how to manage their incomes, as well as the introduction of village savings and loans scheme. In addition, 1,200 mango seedlings and 4,141 acacia and tick tree seedlings had also been planted in some communities.
He noted with dismay that the poor rainfall pattern experienced earlier in the year had the tendency to increase the food insecurity situation in the country, particularly in the northern regions, and urged the government to adopt realistic and practical measures by targeting people in need to ameliorate their plight.
Mrs. Vivian Abendago, a farmer from Zambogu community in the Upper West Region expressed gratitude to Oxfam for supporting her agricultural activities, noting that through the adaptation strategies of the NGO, she had been able to increase her income.
She said through that support, she was able to cater for the educational and health needs of her children.
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